UMNO’s ‘erectile dysfuntion’ or Malaysia’s mid-life crisis?

Picture this: the year is 2007, Kuala Lumpur. Banner waving everywhere on the streets around Mahathir’s twin erection – Petronas Tower. Malay, Indian and Chinese children cyclying gleefully around a village as the sun goes down. The sign on the banner reads “one legacy, one destiny”. The questions behind the banner of unity are many:

Whose legacy, whose destiny?

Islamic state or secular state?

Election this year or next?

Is there or is there not a photo?

Is there or is there not high-level involvement in Altantuya’s murder case?

The real victim in all this is the Malay community, whom UMNO claims it is serving and protecting. By politicizing religion, UMNO has tarnished Malaysia’s international and domestic reputation as a bastion of moderate Islam. Meanwhile, UMNO’s unwavering support for an affirmative-action program favoring ethnic Malays over minority Chinese and Indians has bred animosity among non-Muslims and become an excuse for them to scapegoat Malays for all the country’s shortcomings and ignore their significant contributions to nation-building.

That racial divide has and continues to play into UMNO’s hands. The government elite and a growing band of concerned Malaysians have set the stage for country’s 50th anniversary. Malaysians of all ethnicities must now decide where they will stand, if it’s best to leave nation-building primarily in government hands, or if now is the time to become more active stakeholders in the country’s future.

Ioannis Gatsiounis, a New York native, is a Kuala Lumpur-based writer for this article.

“By politicizing religion, UMNO has tarnished Malaysia’s international and domestic reputation as a bastion of moderate Islam. ”

It started in the late 60s when Mahathir chose to ride the wave of narrow Malay nationalism, and later in the 80s when he lured Anwar Ibrahim away from PAS and later giving him the key education portfolio, in charge of a ministry traditionally regarded as the training ground for future Prime Ministers. Mahathir, who is a medical doctor never known to be religious, saw the futility of resisting the rising tide of Islamic fundamentalism inspired by events happening in Iran beginning with the ouster of the Shah of Iran. Being the crafty politician that he was and still is, he tapped into the energy that Islamic fundamentalism brought. He proceeded to the international stage with his anti-US rhetoric about infidels and defended Saddam.

If there is one man who could be blamed for letting the Islamic genie out of the bottle it is Mahathir.

When Tunku was Prime Minister there was never in doubt what the role of Islam in public life was to be. The Tunku himself educated in England, like his successors Razak and Hussein Onn, was liberal in their approach to religion. Article 3 of the Federal Constitution 1957 clearly stipulated the role Islam was to play and it was never questioned and generally accepted by all races. As the official religion of the federation it was generally understood that state functions were to follow Muslim traditions. Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy and though state and religion are not separated the way it is in countries like the U.S. it is generally understood and accepted by the races in Malaysia that it is a secular state. Malays being Muslims, UMNO wanted to protect their position as Muslims and as Malays, and had special provisions incorporated within the Federal Constitution of 1957 to protect the position of Islam.

Mahathir was to be the country’s first Prime Minister who was educated locally (Singapore was part of Malaya then and the University of Malaya was in Singapore). His education in Alor Setar, Kedah where the first English primary school was named after his father, and his local tertiary education as opposed to an overseas education were to have a major impact on the country’s not only foreign policies but also its policies in education, trade and industry, banking and finance. Is it surprising that radical amendments were made to the Constitution of 1957 during his tenure as Prime Minister? An example would be the amendment which created a double tracked justice system for Muslims and non-Muslims – syariah and civil, which is responsible for much of the mess we see today.

Had Hussein Onn not appointed Mahathir as his deputy (he regretted for having done so) and had Musa Hitam and Tengku Razaliegh succeeded in 1987 in taking over the reins of power, Malaysia would have taken a different course – and Malaysians especially non-Malays would find themselves in happier circumstances.

Rajah…go read what I wrote just now on unity for bloggers at Sheih’s blog.
Since everyone welcome your comments…which I treat you as a busybody foreigner….I will avoid you and leave everyone in peace.
But just to comment on Susan’s message….UMNO SUCKS!!…so why are we all supporting them these 50 years? That to me is the root cause of all…..we …the voters….giving the chances after chances to do all those sins to the country and the people. 22+ years out of 50 years….citizens learn so much cunningness and crookedness….yet are dumb dumb to true unity…by not being smart to reduce UMNO’s power to the minimum…like what we see in American….and other neighboring countries.
Look at Golka party in Indonesia.. ….almost distinct now…who is exactly like UMNO. I am not saying vote UMNO out…as I see no one is better than them right now.
For all what Susan and other bloggers may point out….especially from RPK….I really salute all of you for your fine and courageous sacrifice to be the best watch dogs of our country with no salaries….but sad to say…few are truly political bloggers…anti-govt. only….not Susan….I assure you. So lets presume all anti-govt are patriotic Malaysians and not to advertise a political party or one political person they are paid to do.
So you all can talk till doomsday{since till ‘all the cows come home” is used Rafidah often………I will avoid that nice phrase}..it makes no differences if voters are not serious for change or control with their powerful votes.

I can agree with Monty that the M’sian public in general, wrt interpersonal relationships and others, is generally less honest than it was 50 years ago. Ppl are more mean and less trustworthy, less likely to be easy going. Just try loaning out money to “friends”. Even should this be a worldwide trend, it is not something to be proud of.

hahahaha….Lending money to friends.
You will loose the so call friend faster than you think ….after lending to that person….but not are that bad…some do pay back slowly.
When I lend or give….I may borrow from the bank and charge no interest…that’s friends lending to another…but I have friends who trust me so much is willing to lend unlimited amount to me…charge huge interests….like ah longs. That’s not friends…that’s business…avoid such friends.
then I have gangster like friends….will be so pathetic and beg for help….but when you ask for payments..they will create a scene to pick up a fight….hahahahaha
But I never lend to females….I gave them what they want or shoo them away….to avoid being misunderstood.

And try borrow from a so call good stingy friend.
So depend on yourself and spend what you an afford….as real friends are truly hard to find.
I don’t mean a person must lend money is a true friend. I mean when you need them most on anything…you will be disappointed nowadays….as MONEY is the GOD in Malaysia. Someone for more than 22 years taught us how to get them………everyone is chasing it….by hook or by crook.

Our responsibility as an individual, a citizen of a country and also occupant of planet earth, we gotta open our eyes and listen to what is obvious and analyse information given to us, not just digest what is there.Ask what you don’t understand. We can do a part no matter how small we are.

Lilies…..Few come here to tell us check out this or that at their blogs. Why can’t you COMMENT more ….not putting sentences ..like what you are doing………hinting this or that and can get the answers from your blog. Come straight to the point and let us read your smart thoughts here.
Anyway…welcome and await your comments with substances.
Once you do that…many will visit your blog automatically…that is…if is it interesting.

“Since everyone welcome your comments…which I treat you as a busybody foreigner” monsterball

I thank you for that but I assure you that there is wisdom in not overstaying the blogger’s welcome.

There are lots of Malaysians who are living abroad not out of choice but by sheer force of circumstances – especially those facing racial discrimination at home. There have been increasing calls by parents today for their children to stay abroad and carve their careers as professionals among whom are biochemists, cardiologists, computer engineers to name but a few i.e. scientists who have much to offer their country. For the parents these are painful decisions to make, having struggled all their lives to fund the education of their children so they as parents could have a secure and better future in their sunset years. Many among these students have chosen the path of filial piety and some merely postponed their return to the country of their birth until at a later time when there is prospect of a real change at home. You could call it selfish and unpatriotic. Others call it survival. Many of these students struggle with their choices between returning home to serve a country that does not love them, a government that discriminates against them based on their ethnicity and religion, and the company of family and friends who love them. No matter what their choices are their roots will always be in the country of their birth.

Despite what is happening at home I believe Malaysia is still a good place to live in and raise your family. Many will disagree with this statement which is understandable considering the pain they and their families have had to go through as a result of the racial discrimination by their own government over the years.

Your ‘dog in the manger’ attitude has forced curious foreign visitors to this blog who drop by to share their thoughts, to retreat because of your xenophobia, your sentiment against foreigners and your hatred for Jews and everything Jewish which are, I think, in the end reflections of your own insecurity. Needless to say they have left with that bad taste in their mouths after having sampled what they thought were thoughts and responses of the average educated Malaysian. This is most unfortunate. I would like to think the views and the sentiments you express are not representative of the views and the sentiment of the average educated Malaysian of today and are more typical of your generation.

Rajah….you may comment anything in Susan’s blog….but refrain from teaching a grandfather like me.. how to suck eggs.
I have survived through WW2 eating really nothing call food for months. I have lived through near deaths during MAY 13th incident.
You only know how to talk and read…and I still sense you blame everybody and everything for your so call migration to another country. I have hundreds of friends and relatives migrated….and each one I met put their heads in shame…when I pointed to their selfishness and having weakly characters and doing that for their personal benefits and families sake. Seldom it is …. sort of spread their wings far and wide and don’t stick to one place….by wealthy families. That’s okay….but don’t blame this or that ….especially our government. As bad as we seen to think of them…..for 50 years the people are living in prosperous perfect harmony and happiness. It is the lack of understandings or be selfish like you……refusing to sacrifice for anyone or anybody that makes Malaysian young citizens behave somewhat unbelievably hypocritical and cunning that we old folks are seeing. No doubt…we know it is Mahathir that showed the wrongs ways…but majority knows that…thus signs of realization to change for the better is very good.
Less we talk about the Jews …the better. We have enough of our own problems..but if one hero worship the Jews here in our country…we need to tell that person to shut up or get lost.
Same thing with foreigners…..talk as much as you want…but not with an agenda to continueously belittle our country …or promote a religion under the disguise of how much they love or concern about our well beings….bullshitt!!!….and that includes you that I now treat as a foreigner.
Few have agreed with my feelings and thoughts….so talk what you want…and once again…behave yourself and stop teaching me.
There is nothing I consider a coward two time face person like you can tell me that I don’t know…..and I have traveled far and wide…seen and done enough…but each time…it is home sweet home …. miss my MALAYSIA.
Insecurity….you say I am? What a twister you are!! It is you who feel insecured.. dare not face it like a man…ran away from MALAYSIA.
You see..I consider you not a man….a cunning twister..braggart….instigator….and few more.
Are we clear now?

Monty…Think you’re a little overreacting. Rajah have his point too. We shouldn’t blame those talents that are not recognized and appreciated locally. If a country that put personal interest first, what can you do. I don’t blame them. Well..should stop all the bashing. Stay focus.

UMNO has not only politicized religion (read: Islam) but has set in motion wheels that one day could crush all opposition from secular progressives among us irrespective of political affiliations. Parliament under the control of UMNO passed numerous bills which then became law, more than anybody cares to count since 1957 without so much as a debate, forever changing the underlying social contract, the national consensus reached between the races. Amendments made to the document we refer to as the Federal Malaysian Constitution of 1957 have so mutilated it that students of constitutional law today would find it hard to identify the original consensus reached in 1957 without which the Brits would never have granted the country independence.

Special Malay privileges under Article 153 of the Federal Constitution of 1957 refers only to positions in the public service, of scholarships and training, permits or licenses for the operation of any trade or business. Even this Article has a proviso which has been conveniently overlooked by supporters of these special Malay privileges i.e. in exercising his functions under the Constitution, the Agong “shall not deprive of any public office held by him or of the continuance of any scholarship, exhibitions or other educational or training privileges…”

The New Economic Policy which had its beginnings when Parliament was suspended after the race riots in 1969 goes beyond the scope of Article 153 and is therefore unconstitutional. Its premise is based on the need to preserve long term political stability through the eradication of the identification of economic functions with race. It was based on the assumption of a growing national economic pie. The fact that the non-Malays were prepared to accommodate to this national need is a credit to them. It was to have lasted until 1990. It has a sunset clause which was conveniently ignored when the time came by those who stood to benefit most from it i.e. UMNOputras and the politically connected, and their sidekicks in MCA and MIC.

UMNO also rushed the amendment to Article 121 in the mid 80s introducing Article 121(1A) which created a double tracked judicial system the likes of which have never been seen in any other country. UMNO with its two-third majority control in Parliament passed at will without a national referendum as some would like to see, Article 121(1A) and what was a single judicial system was forever changed to two systems existing in parallel to one another and has created what has become a serious human rights situation today when citizens are denied of their constitutional right to freedom of religion under Article 11.

Islamization is no longer the fear of the ill-informed but that of the better informed among Malaysians. The fear is no longer the politicization of religion per se but the Islamization of a whole community of people who do not share the same tradition.

I’m sorry but I’m not sure what we as Malaysians irrespective of where we are, whether in Malaysia or abroad working to make ends meet, are supposed to be celebrating this August 31st.

Rajah…….I live here and you are a visitor….you seems to feel…. touch and see more than I do in MALAYSIA.
Most Malaysians are unhappy of the massive corruptions and downright dirty politics…..but when come to Malaysian society….don’t be too surprise..we can get along and live very well . Ordinary wage earners don’t think like you…and we businessmen know Malaysia much better.
So dream and write all you want nagative about Malaysia.

Semi Value, Najis, Hisppukidin, Bodowi……….all these idiots of the corrupt Umno government – one thing is certain – majority, a very high majority of the public does not believe anything the stupid, lying and corrupt Umno government says anymore.

This Umno government has zero credibility with the people of Malaysia and one of the reasons is the public is more knowledgeable and intelligent than all those idiots in government especially those dumb shit heads in Umno.

I got this regarding Singapore, since Lee Shien Long take over the prime minister post from Goh Chok Tong, things had changed.

I am a Malaysian working in Singapore. My observation on Singapore is in recent years, Singapore had slowly open up and loosen control on certain things. Now they allow bar top dancing, casino and etc.

Although they still ban chewing gum, littering and political speech and others, but what you get is cleaner environment, low crime rate, order and rules. As long as you do not touch the sensitive political issue, your everyday life is much better than Malaysia where you have to worry when you will get rob everyday.

Due to fallen birth rate, recently Singapore had lower its immigration requirement. It is not true that I have to be rich, professional to be qualified. Now if you are skill worker, even hairdresser is qualified. They also lower the income tax to attract more foreign talents.

Compare with Malaysia, the cost of living is higher but there are also plenty of opportunities. Singapore economic is growth at 7 – 8% this year. Stock market is matching towards history height of 3000, compare with 1996 year of 2300. Property prices hit history height because of foreign buyers.

Singapore malays might look down on Malaysia malays (because of NEP) but not Malaysian Chinese. There are a lot of lawyers, lecturers and other professionals in Singapore are Malaysians.

In my company (MNC from US) half of the emplyees are Malaysians, most of them holding managerial post and higher. As a non-malay, if we can survive the harsh condition in Malaysia, we can survive anyway in the world including Singapore.

I was graduated from NUS more than 10 years ago. I am lucky I did not accept UM offer of science course (which is not my choice) and instead study engineering course in NUS. Now NUS is the top 10 university in Asia and UM is close to 200.

I had a friend who had graduated from NUS together with me but decide to go back to Malaysia for good. After his company (MNC in KL) closed down and shifted to Vietnam 5 years ago, he could not find any engineering job and finally become insurance agent.

I am writing this is not because I am not patriotic. I just want to provide the actual information about outside world to Malaysians in Malaysia. Do not get brainwashed by the mainstream media on how Malaysia Boleh is.

Outside world is very dynamic and changing very fast. Most of them are changing for better, to name a few, China, India, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and many many more except Malaysia.

Malaysia had overtaken by Thailand and Vietnam and very soon by Indonesia. I am afraid Malaysia will be marginalised and become another Philippines. As a non-malay, I love my country but do my country love me? I doubt.

Before you behave too smart and tell me more nagatives…get it clear..economic down trend is felt everywhere in South EAST ASIA…if not the whole world. People are suffering…don’t add salts to wounds please.

As a post-independence-born Malaysian, I would like to offer my thoughts on Article 153 of the federal constitution which mentions the special position of the malays. Please note that there is no mention of the words ‘special privileges’ or ‘special rights’ in the constitution.

For too long, there has been a lack of understanding of what our forefathers had in mind when they included this clause in our much talked about social contract. To gain a better understanding, let us take a trip back in time to 1957 to actually visualise the scene then.

In a scenario where the immigrant Chinese and Indians were seeking citizenship rights in Malaysia, it is reasonable to presume that they would have had to understand and acknowledge the difficulties faced by the majority malays.

And this is where the meaning of the words ‘special position’ comes into focus. What did our forefathers mean by the special position of the malays? Did they mean that the malays would enjoy a higher status than all the other races? Did they mean that the malays would have special rights and privileges in perpetuity?

If this is what our forefathers had intended, then our constitution would have mentioned this specifically. However, the constitution or social contract does not say so.

What then, could the words ‘special position’ mean? It is reasonable to infer that our forefathers were concerned first by the fact that the malays were left behind economically despite being the indigenous majority in the country.

Secondly, they were concerned by the fact that, despite being immigrants, the Chinese and a small segment of the Indian community were relatively much better off.

The clause was therefore more so of an acknowledgment by the non-malays of the disadvantageous economic situation of the malays. The consideration given by the former to the latter when entering into the social contract for citizenship rights was agree to provide some measure of support for the malays to improve their economic standing.

If our forefathers had meant for these preferences to last in perpetuity, then there would not have been a request for a review in 15 years.

When I see the compulsory requirement for non-malay companies to hand over a certain portion of their equity to the malays for no input at all, I am tempted to ask: Is this what our forefathers had in mind? I can go on listing the abuses forever because there are plenty of them.

It is intriguing to hear senior BN and Umno leaders repeatedly asking the people to adhere to the social contract. What contract they are referring to? It cannot be the federal constitution. It is most probably some contract that they have entered into unilaterally without the agreement of the non-malays.

So it seems to be incorrect to firstly equate the words ‘special position’ with ‘special rights and privileges’. Secondly, it also seems incorrect to suggest that the malays have special rights and privileges in perpetuity and therefore, that they have a higher status than everyone else.

The non-malays only agreed to allow them preferences over the others for a finite period of time. It has now been almost 50 years since independent but has such a meaningful review of those preferences taken place at all? Absolutely not.

In fact what has happened is that successive BN governments, dominated by Umno, and especially after the 1969 tragedy, have taken the liberty to very liberally interpret Article 153. This has led to the wholesale abuse of the consideration provided by the non-malays in 1957 for their citizenship rights.

It seems to me that the real social contract of 1957 was torn up long ago by the BN government with the way in which the NEP was implemented from the 1970s onwards.

To me, the real social contract of 1957 has long been dead. I hope the day will come when the people of Malaysia in the true independent spirit will make it live again.

Then perhaps, we would not have to spend hundreds of millions ringgit on nonsensical projects like the National Service to inculcate unity amongst the races.

No willingness to open up politically and culturally, no urgency to excel and no hunger pang on the part of malays, Malaysia I reckon may take many generations to wear out like Burmese, who is very much the same as the malay genetically and culturally.

“As these public institutions are essentially malays, they also bring shame and dishonor to own race.”

Much as I would like to refrain from saying this but it is a fact that the malays are viewed in poor light (to put it mildly) by the general non-malay population.

The behavior of their political masters and the civil servants gives credence to this view.

How sad, the race that claims to own this land, the race that claims to be defenders of its religion, is contributing immensely to its degeneration and eventual destruction.

The malays are viewed in a poor light not only by the non-malays but by the malays themselves.

And this is a fact. See how cocky and arrogant the moron from Jerai is. He talks as if he owns the Malaysia country when in fact he is just a water boy running errands for his Umno masters.

Most of them cannot argue their points and when push comes to shove would draw their parang or keris for effect. How naive.

Obviously Singapore is also advancing much faster than Malaysia who is losing its best talents to Singapore. Malaysia’s loss is Singapore’s gain. In the end, as the Malaysia nation goes down the drain, it is the ordinary malays who suffer the most.

It is obviously time for the ordinary malays to get rid of the Umno thugs who is in reality robbing them of the kind of prosperity their Singaporean cousins are having.

Humans have always migrated throughout history – in search of better lives. It is in our blood. Animals also do it. Some prefer to settle, others move on at whatever odds. The Chinese race is a good example of enthusiastic migrants. The Scots yet another.

Take the example of my own extended family. My father, who came from a poor family, emigrated together with his late father and late elder brother from Guangdong to Ipoh in 1923 (for economic reasons). The price they paid was separation from my late grandmother for a couple of years.

When reunited, the family expanded to a total of 10 children. Within one generation, eight of these children were able to go to university in Malaya (Singapore) and the UK. Three of these were Queen’s scholars and another, a Colombo Plan scholar. This was during the time of the British, with free and fair competition prevailing.

Within another generation, my family was all dispersed around the world. Today, we have family in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. There are only two families left in Malaysia from the previous generation – and they are retired.

In this generation, we have 13 doctors – all but one specialists – with one the holder of personal chair in a UK university. I am sure all of us can attribute our various successes to being at the right time at the right place and also by being persistent, open minded and diligent.

The argument has nothing to do with race or patriotism. We all love Malaysia as a country but we (or our parents) objected to the type and form of governance and the society it created during various times.

This spurred our emigration and our decision to work and live away from the land we were born in. Some of us have even maintained our Malaysian citizenship in hope that things will change and we may be able to return.

Nonetheless, we are thankful that we have not been hindered in our move across borders. We are also thankful that holding a Malaysian passport today will facilitate movement between many countries compared to say, 20 years ago.

In short, our leaving was our silent, peaceful protest. It will of course fall on deaf ears because the existing muhibah ruling class will only be interested in furthering their own well-being and wealth but not those of the public. Fortunately for some of us, we could vote with our feet. So let it be.

We take a larger global view and see that we contribute to the world, not directly Bolehland. My question is: Have you considered that those who do not emigrate are the ones who are truly enslaved?

And to the present government I ask: How do you think you could lure people like us back? (Hint: Better money would not work – as we get less where we all are.)

Umno Neanderthals brought about the current situation, who else? Now what they’re trying to do is to look out for blame on others whenever any public outcry occurs. Through repression, they’ve had their own ways all along but will the good times(for them) last forever? They expect so despite the outrageous quality of leaderships for 50 years.

Monty sees the situation through the eyes of a successful businessman, not that of a wage earner.

Reek, M’sia back in circa ’86or ’87, had the shameless audacity to side with the Fijian openly because of the common racist policies. But right now, it seems Fiji is improving while M’sia is sliding rapidly. Ironic.

“Periodic efforts by the leadership to forge a Malaysian identity has been thwarted by the Malays in UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) – the predominant party in the coalition. ”http://saag.org/papers21/paper2059.html

This site have few trying to tell everyone to migrate and those who don’t are idiots.
It is also turning to be anti-govt blog…no more human rights stuffs.
More negatives….especially such so call good advises on migration…means we are okay folks…stay put!!
Yip ….politics is another matter. We have plenty of political clowns….but they are our clowns and glad aliens are enjoying our fun. Unfortunately…not much do we know about British and American political clowns because we don’t care to be busy bodies….but you can bet there are real idiots…not clowns running the shows in that two countries.
Only the very rich can enjoy in USA and Britian.
Here….it is the envy of them all…with little money..we can bring the whole family out. Our simple hundreds of 24 hours eating stalls….and activities till late at night…go to those countries. all closed by 10pm ..you can get robbed or killed..if you walk out after 10pm. In USA….citizens dare not go out after 10pm. Guns are easily available. everyone can shoot anyone.
Even if peaceful…walk along the streets and see weird hairdos…half naked females.
So what’s up in Britian? Go walk at Hyde Park….air is free…but try bringing whole family of 5 with RM100…you have no place to go…it’s peanuts…need much much more….but here..you can really enjoy with whole family of 5 with RM100 …and giving you choices up to late at night. So your whole family can enjoy…that’s what life is all about…not in USA and Britian.
So you see…..they don’t tell you all these. Afterall….work hard and play hard matters…but they worth hard and save…since cannot play with limited funds….and no middle class workers can afford to bring their family out every weekend like we see here.
Cheap delicious food and places to enjoy…till late at night…no where in USA and Britian can you get them…that’s why millions of them come over here as tourists…for stuffs they can never buy to eat or wear or use or see from their own countries.
I have written enough to prove to you how jealous foreigners are of our lifestyles. Don’t be fooled by their so call good life there. It’s pure jealousies….and great regrets but those migrated elsewhere…but they will never tell you that.

No one can frame the issues facing our country better than you have just done. I cannot find anything to disagree with what you have said, but only to add the following:

You said:

“To me, the real social contract of 1957 has long been dead. I hope the day will come when the people of Malaysia in the true independent spirit will make it live again.”

Beautifully expressed.

When we refer to the Federal Malaysian Constitution of 1957, we are tempted these days to also refer to the ‘underlying social contract’. The reason? It is obvious to many including students of Malaysian constitutional law, that over the years there has been a radical departure from it.

A good example is over the interpretation and the rhetoric behind Arts. 3 and 11 and of course Art. 121(1A). Why the discussion over whether Malaysia is an Islamic state after some five decades during which there has not been a single amendment to the relevant provisions except for Article 121 which is now replaced by 121(1A)?

Art. 3 of the Federal Constitution 1957 declares Islam as the ‘religion of the federation’. One can speculate why terms like ‘official religion’ or ‘state religion’ were not used instead. There must be a difference. But I’m not going into the rhetoric of whether Malaysia is secular or not secular because it really bores me. It is not like the non-Malays are about to be converted en masse to a religion not of their own choice! It is purely academic! It is UMNO beating their drums of narrow Malay nationalism in view of the GE, to outdo PAS in its effort at Islamization, and to frighten the Malays into looking upon UMNO as the only party which could protect and safeguard their constitutional rights, that any electoral alliance between the DAP and PKR will not survive the GE and if it does, will not guarantee a viable government. I do not have to put my ears to the ground to hear in which direction the politics of narrow Malay nationalism are taking us as a people and as a country.

Will there be a day that we could see the true underlying social contract resuscitated? I doubt it very much – not when UMNO continues to run the government.

You may want to know which of the key constitutional provisions which I hold most dear to me personally. That would be Article 11 (1).

To not want to migrate, is to be in a rut. Complacency is a derivative of the secure and a result of an inate fear to go further.
The money of many rich, successful businessmen too has `migrated`. It has then returned in the form of `overseas investment`. The caveat being that it is free to move out again in case things go bad.
As for the not-so-rich, the deire to migrate should be propelled even further. Each and every person who has migrated, that I have talked to, has absolutely no regrets with his/her decision.
I have a biz colleague, highly placed, who gets an average of 2-3 migration apllications per week. Most have gone through.

Talk is cheap.
_______________________________________
On the figures you are right. Like you say Monty, talk is cheap. And you don`t have to believe me, I`m not supplying details.
My cheap talk is from my own knowledge in this matter, which apparently is not the same as yours :).
Btw I also know many who though they are in this country, have permanent residence in other countries – again I`m not supplying details as a precaution.

The migrates are mostly intellectual and professional, including the rich ( some corrupted ). Who is going to participate in the country development, especially in the science and technology sector. We are now partially engaging foreigner in this. But are they doing it for our country or their pocket?

Migrations means all walks of life…all races just leave Malaysia..like we see people risking their lives …hundreds got drowned in small boats from Indonesia…from Cuba to USA…..from so many African small countries to another.
Ours ….from time memorial after Merdeka…are people leaving for personal and selfish reasons and many are wanted on police lists’
Modern days….filthy rich Malays top the list…not migrating…..buying properties …especially in Australia like the Arabs to London…go there to gamble,, drink and be merry…having dual citizenships…and lastly…groups for own POCKETS.

Monty, your perspective as a business person is different from that of a wage earner. As a business, person, you tend to have at least some material accruments left as inheritance to fall back to for your children. For the wage earner, it’s mainly about skill and qualification which needs to be recognised and not discriminated against. Bad governance does that.

this is indeed a good debate? to migrate or to stay back and try to make a difference? as we can see, no right or wrong there, it all depends on what you heart tells you. i am a medical specialist in the uk and will be going home soon. it is true that life is not the greatest here. while everything runs quite well here, unlike the constant hiccups at home, cost of living is still high, and life can be stressful too. you will see lots of programmes of the british leaving their country (especially for retirement) citing stress in UK as the main reason. being malaysian and asian, their lifestyle here needs some getting used to, something i cant adjust completely to.
back home, while the brain drain and deterioration of the average malaysian life is ongoing, i figure that i will be able to make a living as a private specialist independant of the government. i realise that not everyone has that opportunity. i thought that opportunities are still good in malaysia as we are developing still, and not chocked full with professionals. while these thoughts may seem selfish, i reason that if the going gets bad, i can still find a way to leave and migrate. but for now i will take my chances in malaysia……..

I think of poor governance and policies as prime cause of migration for the non-malay. Especially lack of opportunity and prospects for their children. If theirs future are not secured, what can they do? Complain? To who? At times, I can’t blame them.
But ever think about the weak and poor. They are worse. Trapped in their poverty. Migrate for better life elsewhere? Can they afford? We should protect their every right. We don’t want a boat people in the future.

chinese were the first to buy properties in australia and migrate. it was because they were ushered to by ossie gomen, to drawn investment from filthty rich malaysian chinese. it has nothing to do with malaysian government, neither bn, but because the country was posperous and economy was flourishing and malaysian chinese had too much money and didn’t how to spend it. land in australia was cheap because the have so much of it for their 10 mil. citizens at that time.

When economic is down and we discuss this subject….it sounds so logical to migrate.
witsO is partly right I talk like a businessman….but I am talking and thinking mostly as a Malaysian from all walks of life……representing poor or rich.
Did we hear or talk about Malaysians running away during very good times or even the worst times like May 13th 1969 and the Indonesian Confrontation
war’ against us? No. We were all ready to defend our rights and country…… but sure….few rich blokes ran for selfish reasons.
hahahahahahaha…If government is so bad…why run away…why not vote them out? Why talk so much? The ones who ran away…. did they use their votes to do the job…or better still….why not go house to house like a good Samaritan to educate the voters….in short why not do your part when needed most…but talk talk talk only?
And most poor chinese actually are not running away. They are earning very good money from overseas..even washing dishes…send money home for their kids and love ones and can afford to buy houses. Do we know that?

“why run away…why not vote them out? ”
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Yeah, tell that to the recalcitrant Ah Mow and Ah Tows market and new village types ; these are perpetually stupidized by the MCA propaganda. The coffee shop ah peks also will whine loudly but tend to vote again and again for the MCA. They are also selfish because of the crumbs rendered by the MCA services that addresses those perpetual everyday problem with band aids. Problems which the MCA will not or can’t address at the higher level so as to appear relevant and indispenable to thes people.

“And most poor chinese actually are not running away.”
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Can they? Will they be accepted. It isn’t that simple, a process, is it?

Indonesian Confrontation has seen the most united state of the people – something we’ll never again attain. Guess why, if that isn’t the goverment’s doing?

Ah Mow and Ah Tows are peoples who only see what’s one foot in front of them, MONEY. Some knows what’s the problem and what’s wrong. But not bothered. As long as their stomach is not empty, others problem is not theirs. Who cares!
Also, they have no foresight. Most not aware what is going on outside their world. Only interested in micro economy, without realising what our neighbouring countries and the world is doing and its impact to our national economy in long terms.

Quite apart from well-to-do and also highly qualified Chinese Malaysians who have formally migrated overseas, there are a lot of Ah Bengs and Ah Muis who are (illegally) working overseas, often under very poor employment conditions.

At the rate we are falling behind other regional economies, we could be exporting domestic maids as well one of these days.

All in all, Bolehland is hemorhaging human capital.
And UMNO fellas still think of it as Good Riddance.

Yes, I believe UMNO will one day implode under the weight of its own slime , just like Indonesia’s Golkar. But by then it will be way too late for Malaysia, just as it is for Indonesia. Once you have dug yourself into a very deep hole, it can be very difficult to climb back up.

On a personal note, I worked overseas in several countries as an expatriate, but always still as a Malaysia-based staff. A few years ago, my employer offered to change my status to a full time expatriate staff.
It would open many career opportunities for me plus a significant income rise (but cost of living would also be higher, of course)
In all likelihood I would be permanently based overseas, and our kids would have to study in international schools. My wife and I had a long discussion on this, before declining the offer.
I’m still not sure whether I made the right decision.

I love this country, but every day I get reminded that I’m not really welcome here.

A guy who is smart and your low IQ cannot comprehend…Linda
For one to coined a nick like him…..which I leave kittykat to tell you…that is if he wants it….he is miles ahead of you…and next time…say it in right polite lady like way.
I guess you know where I got monsrterball from…..hahahahahaghaha

yea kittykat…stop complaining about BN this or that. Use your vote wisely and be brave.
It is your weak mind to think you are not welcome in Malaysia….or are you promoting anti govt. for a party? Come on spell it out!!

Tun Razak, Harun Idris, Mahathir Mohd are the ones the started the racism in MY. They took away the innocense of MY.Thats when MY lost its virginity to tyrant. Till today MY has been slutting around to UMNO.

Is that so obnoxious9. No wonder she calls me an old fart…sure not her customer…but I was looking for one property for my son..She lost a potential client. What lousy sales person she is. Maybe her good looks and extra special services will make up the differences.

Hi Monty, how did you find out my real name ?
Wah, are you Special Branch in disguise ? – Just kidding.
Only thing is I wasn’t born in 1946.

Yes, the moniker is very close to my real name, and Kit Kat is my favourite chocolate. Makes sense ?

I use my real name in Photograpy forums like Lensa Malaysia and Photo Malaysia and various photography blogs – no need to worry of any conflicts there. There are still fellas throw junk on other people’s posted photos or opinions in those blogs, but never gets to the level of heat in Political blogs.

Elementary my friend….elementary….deduct here and there..look for clues…walla….!!!
So 1946 is not your birth year…but must mean hell of alot to you.
Have you fall in and fall out of love 46 times OR went to chicken ranch 46 times leh??

bola…This is not about copy rights. It is about not supporting copycats…look-a-like and pirators. Above all….in blogging…it is about principles in life….not to disturb each other’s private matters…but post for or against each….exercising freedom of speeches.
You must be a young person. Learn to develop a deciplined life with good set of rules…..then you may understand what I am trying to say.